Post-Spring Depth Chart Projection: Kentucky Defense

Continuity was a big selling point of Kentucky’s defense entering the 2024 season. The Wildcats only added two transfers to the roster in the winter transfer portal roster and returned every full-time assistant coach from last season. Defensive coordinator Brad White has been in Lexington since 2018 and has been holding the call sheet since 2019.

But that continuity was tested during spring ball.

Kentucky went through almost all of spring practice without its starting defensive line and was also missing multiple starters in the secondary. It’s hard to generate any big statement after what we just saw over the last month. We still know what the strengths and weaknesses are.

The Kentucky defense took a step back under Brad White in 2023. The Wildcats slipped to No. 80 in points per drive and No. 103 in success rate after ranking in the top 30 in both metrics in 2022. That points per drive finish was the program’s worst since 2017. Kentucky fielded its fifth consecutive top-40 defense in ESPN’s SP+ rankings but had some clear weaknesses that sunk the unit.

Most notably, the pass coverage struggled, and this unit could not get off the field on third down because of it. Kentucky is working to fix that. We should expect some transfer additions to the defensive roster over the next month. For now, we have a good idea of where things stand on defense, but the lack of transparency on some of the injuries could change things later in the offseason.

Here is what KSR’s projected two-deep currently looks like for Kentucky’s defense.

Kentucky Depth Chart: Defense

Nose Tackle

1. Keeshawn Silver (6-4, 317, Redshirt Junior)
2. Josaih Hayes (6-3, 307, Super Senior)

You could honestly use an “or” right here. Keeshawn Silver (291 snaps) and Josaih Hayes (307 snaps) are co-starters who gave Kentucky good play in the middle of this 3-4 scheme all year last season. Expect another platoon this year. Silver was missing at the end of spring, and there was no sign of Hayes. How healthy is Kentucky at this position? A trip to the portal might be needed here if the depth has taken a big hit to injury. There is not another clear nose tackle on the roster after Silver and Hayes outside of Deone Walker.

Defensive Tackle

1. Deone Walker (6-6, 348, Junior)
2. Kahlil Saunders (6-5, 290, Redshirt Junior)

Deone Walker is back for year three and will be a preseason All-American. The Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech product will be one of the best defensive players in the SEC in 2024 and a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Kentucky’s defense will revolve around big No. 0. Kahlil Saunders is a quality reserve who has played 579 snaps over the last two seasons. Jerod Smith II (6-4, 245, Fr.) flashed during the spring and could give Kentucky another interior pass rusher to use in certain packages.

Defensive End

1. Octavious Oxendine (6-1, 274, Redshirt Senior)
2. Tre’vonn Rybka (6-4, 284, Redshirt Senior)

Another “or” could be used right here. Octavious Oxendine and Tre’vonn Rybka were each members of Kentucky’s 2020 recruiting class along with Josaih Hayes. The duo combined for 46 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks last season. The Wildcats will feel good about this platoon in 2024. I would expect Tavion Gadson (6-5, 290, RFr.) and Brian Robinson (6-5, 257, Fr.) to also factor here. Each is a big part of this defensive line’s future and will give the front some quality depth.

EDGE

1. J.J. Weaver (6-5, 256, Super Senior)
2. Tyreese Fearbry (6-5, 245, Redshirt Sophomore)

J.J. Weaver is returning for year six and is bringing 1,994 career snaps, 165 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, 76 pressures, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions back to the defense. After a rocky season in 2023, Weaver will be looking to put it all together this fall. Tyreese Fearbry flashed in the Gator Bowl and will provide this unit some pass rush juice, but must add strength this offseason. Kentucky is unproven at Jack linebacker after the top two.

Off-Ball Linebacker

1. D’Eryk Jackson (6-1, 246, Redshirt Senior)
2. Jamon Dumas-Johnson (6-1, 260, Senior)
3. Daveren Rayner (6-2, 208, Super Senior)

D’Eryk Jackson returns after an excellent season where the South Georgia native led Kentucky in tackles (89) while accumulating some havoc numbers (8 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions). He will be joined by an impressive new tag team partner. Jamon Dumas-Johnson was an All-American at Georgia in 2022 and will give Kentucky one of the most proven linebackers in the SEC. Kentucky will have one of the best off-ball linebacker duos in the conference. Daveren Rayner will be a quality backup. Grant Godfrey (6-3, 232, RFr.) made a position switch in the spring and is an important part of the future. Kentucky gets extremely young at this position with a handful of class of 2024 prospects in Mike Stoops’ position room.

Sam/Nickel

1. Alex Afari Jr. (6-2, 218, Junior)
2. Jantzen Dunn (6-0, 179, Redshirt Junior)

When Kentucky goes to a base defense in 2024, I’m willing to be that most of the time hybrid linebacker/safety Alex Afari Jr. will be lining up at off-ball Sam linebacker. The former four-star recruit had a good season in 2023 and will play a key role as a true junior. Former Ohio State transfer Jantzen Dunn appears to have locked down the starting slot cornerback position. Former Michigan commit Jaden Smith (6-3, 201, Fr.) arrives in the summer and could be Afari’s top backup. If Kentucky wants to use a more traditional outside linebacker, Jacob Smith (6-4, 242, Fr.) could have a role in this spot. The Wildcats have numerous options at the Sam position.

Cornerback

1. Maxwell Hairston (6-1, 183, Redshirt Junior)
2. Jantzen Dunn (6-0, 179, Redshirt Junior)

Maxwell Hairston might have been the biggest surprise on Kentucky’s team and will enter 2024 as one of the top cornerbacks in the SEC. Expectations will be high for the Greater Detroit native. Who will play opposite of Hairston? That’s the million-dollar question. Jantzen Dunn is currently the top option, but the Wildcats need another option to emerge. That did not happen during spring practice. Expect the Wildcats to be active shoppers at the position over the next month.

Safety

1. Zion Childress (6-0, 197, Super Senior)
2. Jordan Lovett (6-2, 201, Redshirt Junior)
3. Ty Bryant (6-0, 198, Sophomore)
4. Kristian Story (6-1, 211, Redshirt Senior)

Starters Zion Childress and Jordan Lovett are back in 2024. Ty Bryant played a lot of snaps as a true freshman, but this position mostly disappointed in 2023. Kentucky is hoping that returning production and the addition of Alabama transfer Kristian Story will prevent that from happening again. Not much changed with this group during the spring. The Cats have a clear top four and will be banking on experience plus player development at this position.